Developmental Systems Theory and Youth Assets: A Primer for the Social Work Researcher and Practitioner

Despite ecological systems theory central role for social work practice as well as being a foundational feature of Developmental
Systems Theory (DST), DST has gone under utilized by the social work profession. Youth assets as an operational component
provides to the social work practitioner an opportunity to engage in development and implementation of concepts related to
DST in order to enhance the development of youths using a community based approach. Social workers must become familiar with
historical and theoretical understanding of key concepts in this primary prevention approach to addressing the needs of youths,
and current methods used in measuring assets.